Pastoral
life

In September 1962, at the age of 17, D'Arcy became a novice at the Passionist
monastery in Enniskillen.[7] A year
later he was transferred to Mount Argus in Dublin.[6]
He was ordained a priest in December 1969.[8]

In his early years as a priest, D'Arcy became an unofficial
chaplain to the showbusiness community in Dublin, visiting
dancehalls seven nights a week and hearing confessions from musicians and fans
alike.[9] Such
was his fame during this period that he reportedly became the
inspiration for Dermot Morgan's character, Father Brian
Trendy.[10]

Media
career

D'Arcy hosts a weekly radio programme on BBC
Northern Ireland[13]
called Religion and Ethics on the air. Since July 1976 he
has written the "Father Brian's Little Bit of Religion"
column for the Sunday World.[14].

Awards

Response to Murphy
Report

After the publication of the Murphy Report Fr. D'Arcy accused the
Vatican of hiding behind legal procedures in not dealing with
allegations of child abuse within the church.[17] He
also called for resignations of high-ranking figures in the
Catholic Church in Ireland following the publication of the
report.[18]